New Delhi: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Jewish state endorses the ceasefire proposal advocated by the administration of US President Donald Trump, as the second phase of the Gaza truce encounters delays. On Sunday, the Israeli government affirmed its willingness to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire in Gaza throughout Ramadan and Passover.
In contrast, Hamas is now advocating for the negotiation of the second phase of the truce. Confirmation of Israel’s agreement was provided by PM Netanyahu’s office shortly after the conclusion of the first phase of the ceasefire. This announcement highlights that the proposal to prolong the initial phase was initiated by the United States.
Israel has consented to the extension until Passover, which concludes on April 20. According to the revised proposal, on the first day of the framework, half of the hostages, both living and deceased, would be released. The remaining hostages would be freed contingent upon reaching an agreement for a permanent ceasefire, as reported by CBS News.
The statement indicated that this proposal was made following US envoy Steve Witkoff’s assessment that, at this juncture, there was no feasible way to reconcile the differing positions of the parties involved to conclude the conflict, necessitating additional time for discussions regarding a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas laments no progress in the second phase of Gaza ceasefire talks
A senior official from Hamas expressed disappointment on Saturday regarding the lack of advancement in the ongoing discussions concerning the second phase of the ceasefire negotiations with Israel. This phase is expected to involve the release of numerous hostages still held in Gaza and is intended to facilitate a more enduring resolution to the conflict.
It is important to highlight that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched a delegation to Cairo, which is acting as a mediator, indicating that “intensive talks” regarding the second phase have commenced. Delegations from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are also engaged in these discussions. However, Hamas asserted that no agreement has been reached.
The Palestinian organization accused Israel of obstructing the negotiation process. A source informed Agence-France Presse, “The second phase of the ceasefire agreement is scheduled to commence tomorrow morning, Sunday… yet the occupation continues to delay and violate the terms of the agreement.”
In a related development, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated on Friday that the ceasefire established by Hamas “must be upheld.” He remarked, “The coming days are crucial. All parties must exert every effort to prevent a collapse of this agreement,” during his address in New York. Guterres underscored that the truce allows for increased humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip, where over 69 percent of structures have been damaged or destroyed, and nearly the entire population has been displaced.
